Method and apparatus for forming ties



Sept. 9, 1941. E. M. FAMOUS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING T IES Filed April 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7- .54

ATTORNEY.

Sept, 9, 1941. E. M. FAMOUS 2,255,1 06

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TIES Filed April 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. AZL M F/M0u5o ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 9, 1941 NT OFFICE Earl M. Famous,"Upper Darby, Pa., assignor of fifty per cent to Harrison H. Heitmann, Glenside, Pa.

Application April 5, 1939, Serial No. 266,051

7 Claims.

This invention relates to the'manufacture of neckware, and is concerned with a novel method and apparatus for forming ties.

In order to set out the objects and advantages of this invention, it is first necessary to outline a method. now widely used in the commercial production of ties, as it is the primary object of this invention to obviate certain inconveniences and disadvantages associated therewith.

Such a method of producing so-called handmade ties involves, first, the cutting of a piece of material into a required blank shape. It is now standardized practice in this art to. cut the material on the bias, and, in order to make use of all available pieces, many of the tie blanks will comp-rise two or even three parts which are sewed together. After the blank has been cut it is given to the operator who has the duty of fashioning the same into tie form. In fashioning the tie a pair of cardboard forms are employed, there being one for the larger, full end of the tie, and a smaller one for the smaller end.

These cardboard forms are first laid out on the blank with the operator attempting to. attain the correct position of the forms in relation to the blank by properly corelating the pointed ends of the form with respect to the pointsof the blank.

The lining for the ties is now laid over the forms and is also used as a guide in positioning the forms, after which the operator takes the blank and folds the same about the form, at the same time folding the edges at the joinder, which is to be the seam of the finished tie. As each part of the tie is folded, it is pinned so that it" will be temporarily held in the formation attained; After beingfashioned and held *in its formed state by the pins, the seamof' the-tie is then sewed, the forms removed, and the tie passed onto the presser, thepressing operation being the last major stepin the productionof the tie.

The method of the character above-outlined.

thus, if the form is too far up in the tie, the tie which is produced will be larger than whenv the form is farther out. Secondly, a certain amount of unevenness in the-edges is also an almost-inevitable result of this. methodof manufacture,

due to the fact-that theoperator'goesup the" form, folding over and pinning the portions thereof, it is impossible to pull each portion of the tie about the form with .the same degree. of tautness. Thus,-certain portions of thetie blank than are others. Thus, when the form is. removed, those portions which have been stretched tight will constrict, leaving the unevenedges.

This same operation, involving the foldingand -;stretching of the material about the forms also is intimately tied up with the formation of the seam. Therefore, if one side of themateriaLis pulled around more. at one. place than the. other, a crooked seam results, this being a highly undesirable factor in a tie intended for commercial disposition. Not only would the seams formed a tendency for the operator to turn under'an,

uneven amount of the material along the seam. QYThus, at one point of the seamthere is too small an amount of the material turned under, While at. other parts there is too much material turned under. r The above-noted disadvantages arise in addi- 9tion to the time and trouble which is inevitably required of the operator who fashions the ties, the sewer, and the presser.

As above pointed out, the lining is employed 40 asa guide in shaping the tie and in many instances, the lining is not true. The ties made with such imperfect linings often take the shape of the lining, with a poor product resulting.

When the blanks are madefrom two or more pieces, they are joined together. The joinder of 5 the p-iecesprovides extra thicknesses of'material which must be accommodated, in folding the edges of the seam, and great diiiiculty is experienced-in getting the seam straightover these portions having the extrathickness of the ma- 50 terial.

Many ties include a silk-lining which extends partially up the inside of the larger or front-end of the tie. I In pressing this type of tie, the presser isveryhard put toperformanoperation which will not leave a line or impression that 'shows ou are stretched toa greater degree about theform either side of the tie. Moreover, in pressing any type of tie, the presser usually employs a cardboard-press form and the pressing of the tie thereover usually leaves a small press mark when the forms are removed.

The above-noted features of disadvantage and inconvenience which are experienced in the forming of the usual, lined ties are multiplied many times when the manufacturer attempts to produce the so-called folded ties. These folded ties do not include linings, but merely comprise several layers of material which are provided by making the required number of folds in the blank. When a folded tie is perfectly produced, it is quite acceptable to the trade. However, the manufacturers have been unable to produce these folded ties in acceptable shape within the usual cost limits, the trouble, of course, residing, largely, in

the difnculty experienced by the operator in getting the folds at the right place so as to provide a product having straight edges, an even seam, and with other undesirable factors eliminated.

With the foregoing in mind, this invention has in view, as its foremost objective, the provision of a method of forming ties in which the first step after the cutting of the blank is the pressing of the blank to form creases therein. These creases define the side edges of the tie as well as the folded edges at the seam.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for so creasing a tie blank and which apparatus includes means for insuring that the creases are properly located.

When a tie is made in accordance with the improved method of this invention, the creases constitute the guide for positioning the lining. Thus, any imperfections in the lining are not carried over into the tie. By employing apparatus that results in the proper positioning of the crease, absolute insurance that the ultimate tie will be of proper shape is given.

Moreover, by first pressing the blank, all press marks or impressions are entirely eliminated as there are no linings or forms contained in the tie after pressing to make such marks.

The new method involving the formation of the creases as the first step after production of the blank, permits the tie manufacturer to employ unskilled labor at all stages except for the sewing of the seam. Thus, the labor cost of the tie manufacturer is materially reduced; also, whether skilled or unskilled labor is employed, the actual time required in the production of a tie is materially reduced.

A method of tie manufacture which involves the formation of the creases as the first step after cutting of the blank is particularly adapted to the commercial production of folded ties as it substantially eliminates all the difficulties previously experienced in the production of these ties.

A further object of the invention is the provision of tie-forming apparatus of the character above-noted, which includes a bed carrying grooves which define the creases that are to be formed in the tie blank.

A more detailed object is the provision of such apparatus in which means for raising and lowering each end of the bed is included. When such means are employed, variation of the size of the tie may be obtained while still producing a tie substantially of the same shape.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus which includes a top part movable withrespect to the bed and which carries blades .apparatus made in accordance with the that are complemental to the grooves in the bed. When the tie blank is laid over the bed, and the top moved so that the blades are inserted in the grooves, the blank is pressed with the blades and grooves forming the creases. Thus, as the operation is continued, each blank which is treated thereby will be creased in exactly the same man- (ner, insuring uniformity in the size of the ties produced. By accurately locating the creases for the side edges and the edges for the folds in the seams, definite assurance is had that the seam of each tie will always be in the correct place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the character above-noted which includes means for supplying steam to the bed so that the blank will be properly pressed when treated thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of additional means for supplying steam at the bottom of the grooves at which the creases are formed. The latter means is preferably operable to supply the steam intermittently as occasion demands. When such apparatus is used, any likelihood of scorching the tie or causing a shine thereon is eliminated. By employing blades having a correct edge formation, any desired shape in the creases produced may be had, As a general rule, the rolled edge is more desirable in a tie. It is evident, therefore, that by employing blades having rounded edges a rolled concealing the same well beneath the edge of the seam.

Another important, advantage presented by the new method and apparatus of this invention is the substantial elimination of the use of any pins, which use so noticeably characterizes the prior art method above discussed. 7

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the character above-noted which includes guides for aiding in positioning a blank in the apparatus. These guides are preferably mounted in an adjustable manner so that different sized and shaped blanks may be accommodated.

Other details and advantages of the invention are associated with the mounting of the blades to render the same adjustable.

The invention, therefore, comprises a novel method of tie manufacture which includes, as a characteristic feature, the step of first pressing a tie blank to form creases-therein immediately after production of the blank. An important part of the invention is apparatus provided for forming the creases above-noted.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of tie-forming precepts of this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with the top opened up,

Figure 3 is a plan view of a tie blank prior to being creased by the apparatus of this invention,

Figure 4 is a view showing the tie blank after creasing,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of a portion of the top, developing the man- Qner of mounting the blades therein,

Figure fi is a=section through theapparatus with the top in closed position-, and

Figure is a s'ectioh taken at right angles to the sectional showing' of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawings; wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts;

apparatuswhicliis intendedto be eperableto The forming element Il fiwhichisadjacent to the hingeconnectionl 8, preferably "carries jazpair of guides sucl'l' as shown-at 29 and 30. Ihe's'e guide's 29- and '36 are adjustabl'y mounted by the set screws '31 as illustrated and present inner edges 32-which aredesign'ed for engagement with 1 a tie blank-to aid-in positioning thesame.

crease tie blanks in accordance with tl1e" pre-' cepts oi thisinvehtion'is shown as comprising a bed referred to in its entirety-by the reference character B and atop which is designated-"gem erally as'Te 'The to'pT-is'movable with respect to the bed' --B, being preferably hinged thereto "as shown at Hi. The bed Binay be carried by asupportingtable shown at H, which table'is maintained in a -convenient upraised location by legs I I2. Referring-for the moment; more particularly to Figured-the bed Bis shown-as including a steam chest 13, a supplyline for admitting steam to the chest l3 being represented at M in Figure 1, and

illustrated as includingacontrol valve at IS. The steam chest l3 includes a-top plate i5 on which rest a plurality of tie blank-'supportingand forming 'elements H. The particular numbenshapeand rela'tionofthe forming elements M will varywith-e'ach machine, depending on the particular features of the tie which'i's intended to be produced thereby; It suffices to say that each of the'forming elements- H has an upper rounded or arcuate-surface I8 which-terminates at each side in an abrupt edge, as shown at l9; -It is par ticularly notable thatthe-edge's is are spacedfrom the upper surfaces of the top plate l6, the members i! being cutaway therebeneath, as shown at 20.

portions- 36 ofthe L-shaped slots-35, suitable pro-- vision being made for holding the-ends of the rods H in anyadjusted position'in the slots 36. To provide this arrangement, the end of each-- rod 37 maybe bifurcated, as shown'at 38, and a tapered screw 39 threaded thereinto. When the screw eeisthreaded home, the-bifurcated ends will spread to engage the top andbottom of the" slots to hold the end of the rod immovabletherein. However, the screw '39 maybe loosenedto permit an adjustment of the-end of the rod-31 Just as many cross rods 3'Z-m'ay be employed as occasion demands.- In the illustrated-embodi-- merit, four of these-rods3l are shown," although The "forming members 1? which are disposed at each sideof the bed "3', namely, those designated-47 and W have the rounded'surface and edge construction-only along the inner sides thereofy-thisbecauSe of the obvious fact that the tie blank is formed only over'the inner-portions: Each ofthe members H; W and 11 is fixedly secured at their centers to the topplate it, as by the screw fastening element shown at 2| in Fig-- ure-'7. However,- eachend of each of the mem-- bers H, H? and l T is movable with respect to the top plate 16 so as to assume the slightly bowed formation illustrated in Figure 7; To attain this result-,"the top plates i6 maybe formed with notches 2?; in which are'seated the ends of screw members 23. The latter are threaded in openings 24 in the members II, H and 11 respectivelyr By screwing the members" 23 farther into the openings 24, the ends of the members N, N and il will be raised from the top plate l6 while the ends may be lowered by reverse operation.

It will-be notedthat the edges IS on the members ll, H and l'i together with the rounded formation thereabove, define grooves, the bottoms of which are substantially at the edges i9. In order to supply steam intermittently to the bottom of the grooves, the top plate It is formed with lines of openings 25 immediately beneath the bottom of each groove. Enclosing the lower edges of the openings 25 are semi-cylindrical tubular members 25 which are secured to the underface of the top plate It.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the several tubular members 26 may be connected by a manifold 2?. A steam supply line for the manifold is shown at 28. Thus, steam may be supplied through the line 28 to the various members '28 entirely independently of the steam which is normally maintained in the chest I3.

the number and relative positions of these rodscan vary in accordance with the needs of any par-- tioular installation; I

Carried by each rod 31 are a plurality of brackets 40 each-of which has a-U-shaped portion 41 which fits over the rod 37. A set screw, shown at 42, is carried-by one leg'of the U-shaped structure 4| and-maybe tightened to hold the I bracket to in any adjusted position on the rod 31. 'Each of the brackets 49 has a depending leg 43 formed with a groove 44 which is-intended to A set screw shown at 46 is carried by the leg 43 at one side and may be tightened to hold the blade 45 in an receive a crease-forming blade 45.

adjusted position in the groove 44.

In reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the blades 45 take the'same form as the grooves defined by the edges IQ of the forming elements II. The adjustment afforded by the slots 44 and wing nuts 46 permits of the blades being adjusted to any desired depth with respect'to the grooves in the bed B; The adjustment-afforded by the U-shaped structure 4| and set screw 42 permits-of lateralmovement of the brackets along'the rods 31 so that any desired curvature in the blades 45 may be obtained. 7 The operation of the above-described apparatus in forming ties will be described by first noting that the steam chest l3 of the bed B normally contains steam to keep the forming elements l1, ll and I'l at a required temperature. Under ordinary conditions there is no steam supplied to the tubular members 26. After a blank has been cut (and if necessary, sewed), it is of substantially the formation shown in Figure 3, this blank being designated at 41.

The top T is now opened, the handle shown at 48 being availed of for this operation, and the blank 41 positioned on the bed, the guides 29 and 30- being availed of to insure of accurate positioning of the blank 41 over the forming elements l1, I! and [1 The top T is now swung over 'into a closed position with the blades 45 entering the grooves in the bed. As they move downwardly in the grooves, the material of the blank 45 is indented and compressed and stretched over the rounded surfaces l8 of the forming elements I1, [I and I! which, it will be remembered, are heated by the steam chest I3.

After the top T is completely closed the operator admits steam to the feed line 28, to the manifold 21, and thence to the tubular members 25 so that the same is passed upwardly through the openings 25 to the material of the blank 41 at the bottom of the grooves. This heat, together with the engagement of the lower rounded edges of the blades 41, causes the formation of the creases shown at 49 in Figure 4. The top T may now be raised and the blank 41, with the creases 49 formed therein, and the material between the creases pressed, removed from the bed 7 B. The creased blank may now be fashioned into a tie by the obvious steps required.

The swinging action of the top T as its moves toward the bed B is important because, with this particular type of movement, the blade 45, which is more closely adjacent to the hinge Ill, is received in the groove between the forming elements 11 and the next adjacent forming element I! ahead of the reception of any of the other blades in the other grooves. As this first blade is moved downwardly in the groove, the material is stretched over the forming elements in an obvious manner, whereupon the next adjacent blade is received in its groove. Thus, the blades are forced into the grooves in sequential order rather than simultaneously, and this insures of a proper pressing of the blank.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice, within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a bed, forming elements carried by the bed and having rounded surfaces and edges defining grooves, means for heating said bed, independent means for supplying steam to the bottom of said grooves, a steam supply for said independent means separate from said heating means and a blade assembly movable with respect to the bed and including blades adapted to be received in said grooves.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a bed, forming elements carried by the bed, said forming elements being fixed at their central portions to the bed, means for adjusting the outer ends of said forming elements with respect to the bed, said forming elements having rounded edges and surfaces defining grooves, and a blade assembly movable with respect to the bed and having blades adapted to be received in said grooves.

3. In a tie-forming apparatus, a bed presenting grooves, an open top hinged to said bed, cross-pieces adjustably carried by the top, brackets carried by said cross-pieces, and blades carried by said brackets, said blades being adapted to be received in said grooves.

4. In a tie-forming apparatus, a bed presenting a plurality of grooves, a top hinged to said bed, cross rods adjustably mounted in said top, brackets adjustably carried by said cross rods, and blades adjustably carried by said brackets, said blades being adapted to be received in said grooves.

5. Apparatus for creasing a tie blank to form a plurality of tie-defining panels comprising a support, tie blank supporting and forming elements carried by said support and arranged to provide laterally spaced grooves, a blade assembly including blades arranged to smooth said tie blank over said forming elements and press portions of said tie blank into said grooves to form panel-defining creases, and means providing varying degrees of insertion of said blades into said grooves at different portions of the effective length of said grooves to alter the size and shape of said panels.

6. In the manufacture of ties, the method of forming diverging panel-defining creases in a tie blank for final folding and stitching which comprises indenting and compressing a tie blank to make a tie-forming crease, maintaining the material of said tie blank at said forming crease in a fixed position, then smoothing and tensioning said material away from said forming crease, and then making a second forming crease in said tie blank in laterally spaced and diverging relation to said first forming crease. '7. In the manufacture of ties, the method of preparing a tie blank for final folding and stitching which comprises indenting and compressing a tie blank to make a tie-forming crease, maintaining the material of said tie blank at said crease in a fixed position, then smoothing and tensioning a plurality of panels of said tie blank in progressive succession away from said forming crease, and indenting and compressing said tie blank intermediate said panels to provide additional forming creases.

EARL M. FAMOUS. 

